Preamble

ABSTRACT

The SMSAH 06 helmet is intended to provide the Special Operations Forces (SOF) operator exceptional situational awareness from the time he exits the aircraft until he lands and beyond. During the military freefall (MFF) operation, the helmet&#39;s night vision and global positioning systems will enable the user to know exactly where his intended drop zone (DZ) is and where he is in relation to his team-mates. The user will also be provided a turn by turn audible guide and visual reference towards his target. The SMSAH 06 system also incorporates the following existing technologies of a Heads-up display (HUD) screen, altimeter, Infra-red (IR), laser range finder, communications systems and emergency signaling system. Finally, use of the SMSAH 06 drastically reduces the likelihood of MFF operators sustaining serious injuries during landings or suffering mid-air collisions because of their inability to visualize their surroundings and thus enhances the chances of mission accomplishment.

The SOF MFF Situational Awareness Helmet 06 or SMSAH 06 is a helmet that will be designed for use with the Special Operations Force (SOF) Operators. It is intended to provide the user with the latest technology which will enhance the operator's awareness during periods of limited visibility situations as well as provide the operator pertinent information to assist in guiding him towards his objective. The SMSAH 06 is currently in a conceptual stage with five different phases towards finalization and completion of the final product. The following are the phases:

This proposed effort will occur in five phases:

-   -   Phase I—Proposal Approval and preliminary preparations,     -   Phase II—Development (fabrication) and Test and Evaluation,     -   Phase III—Finalization of prototype,     -   Phase IV—Implementation and assessment,     -   Phase V—Product Delivery and customer service

Completion of phases in chronological order is crucial to provide the customer (Special Operations Command (SOCOM) a final reliable product.

This proposal provides SOCOM an innovative means for enhancing the chances of successful mission accomplishment while giving the operator critical information to maintain situational awareness. The incorporation of potential solutions for the implementation of heads up display (HUD) with relevant operator essential information in helmets of the MFF insertions team will be a significant benefit for SOCOM.

-   -   Phase I effort will be to identify and conduct preliminary         evaluations of custom and Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS)         components that may be suitable for incorporating into the         SMSAH06. This preliminary phase will be essential in gaining         SOCOM approval early on while simultaneously submission for         utility patent approval to the USPTO. Phase I is complete once         the above preliminary actions have been accomplished.     -   Phase II effort will be the custom developmental and fabrication         and evaluation phase. This phase will be significant because it         is also the phase in which SOFInTek determines future component         suppliers to the SOF MFF Situational Awareness Helmet (SMSAH06).         FIG. 1 in the attached appendix A provides an idea of possible         design components. Potential companies will be ranked in         accordance with their performance and reliability with customers         and willingness to support SOCOM's overall mission. Without         Phase I, proceeding with Phase II will be extremely difficult.     -   Phase III effort will be to finalize the components of the         prototype as well as complete the prototype and its assessments.         This phase provides the user (SOCOM) with a clear picture of         what is expected. FIG. 2 in the attached appendix A provides the         user what he will visualize in the heads up display (HUD) to         enable him enhanced situational awareness. This phase will         determine final product assessments and total number of customer         products.     -   Phase IV will be the Implementation Effort. This phase consist         of implementing the whole SMSAH 06 into the SOCOM warrior         training plans. Train the trainer methodology of the end users         of the SMSAH06 will encompass this phase as well. It is         paramount that SOF Warriors/operators clearly understand the         capabilities and limitations of the product to ensure long         lasting use and so that improvements can be made as field data         is gathered.     -   Phase V will focus on product delivery and continued customer         support, and component fielding and adjustments. Constant         interaction with the users and gathering pertinent information         to continually improve and keep customers' interest and its         ability to accomplish its mission will remain a priority. Phase         V will be deemed a success only when the users realize the         safety aspects of the SMSAH and the reduced night MFF injuries,         while enhancing their situational awareness in conducting their         missions.

FIG. 1 in the attached appendix A provides a general concept sketch of the SMSAH 06. The concept sketch depicts the key components and compartments as the helmet will be utilized. It is paramount to understand that this is still in its conceptual stage, but the inventor deemed it critical to submit the conceptual utility patent application for approval at the earliest opportunity so that SOFInTek Inc. could proceed with the remaining phases of the product design. It is important to note that having a helmet that provides the wearer with such enhanced awareness of his surroundings while performing an inherently risky operation is absolutely crucial and will inevitably assist the SOF operator in accomplishing his mission in a safe manner.

FIG. 2 in the attached appendix A depicts the exploded view of the SMSAH 06. Of note is the manner in which each key component fits comfortably around a compact helmet size suitable for Military Freefall operations.

FIG. 3 in the attached appendix A depicts the information that will be available to the SOF Operator in the Heads Up Display (HUD). The information provided will enhance the users' situational awareness by providing the following:

Altitude, power source indicator, oxygen level indicator, outside temperature, wind speed and wind direction icon (windsock), ground speed, rate of decent, distance to target, team separation distance, infra red (IR), arrow indicating direction to travel and direction in degrees, other SMSAH06s (team members depicted by numbers), freefall mode icon indicator, canopy mode icon indicator, altitude indicator line, geo-coordinates (grid), north seeking arrow, warning indicator light when senses danger, and waypoint, and night vision capable. Waypoints can be pre-set to a certain flight path the operator to travel under freefall or under canopy.

Although the information above seems overwhelming the manner in which things are arrayed within the HUD will provide information at a quick glance. The HUD screen depicted in FIG. 3 in the attached appendix A is what helmet #1 jumper sees. The HUD screen is separated into 4 sections starting from the left, 1) altitude indicator, 2) over head view of team members in relations to target, 3) side view of team in relation to target and team separation 4) other addition information such as battery and oxygen level indicator, rate of decent, ground speed, wind direction, wind speed, and exact location.

In addition to the information above, there will be audible information provided such as turn right and hold, turn left and hold, maintain heading, pull, pull, hazard left/right, etc. The icon or figure symbol with #1 is the figure depicting the freefall mode. When the helmet senses a slower rate of decent (less than 100 miles per hour), the icon will switch to the canopy mode. The altitude indicator line moves up and down across both the overhead view and side view sections showing the user when it's time to deploy his parachute. The pull altitude can be preset to an altitude so that as the falls through that altitude, the pull audible sounds and “PULL” is displayed.

FIG. 4 in the attached appendix A depicts where in relation to the helmet face the HUD will be located as well as what the user sees and also indicates. 

1. What I claim as my invention is a multifunctional helmet, the SOF (Special Operations Forces) MFF (Military Freefall) Situational Awareness Helmet (SMSAH 06), that enables the user to maintain enhanced situational awareness while performing inherently dangerous military airborne operations during periods of limited visibility: I claim that the SMSAH 06 will be equipped with the following: global positioning system, night vision goggles, emergency signaling beacon/communication system, heads up display (HUD) screen that depicts altitude, direction of travel towards intended target, wind direction, and user's location in relation to other SMSAH users. 